Conan O’Brien has been selected by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to receive the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Conan O’Brien is the 2025 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy, honored 'not for humor, but for [his] work as a riverboat pilot.'

The comedian and former late-night talk show host will be given the Kennedy Center’s annual comedy honor at a ceremony in March.

Mark Twain Prize for American Humor honours individuals who have "had an impact on American society in ways similar to" Twain. View on euronews

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was first given to comedian Richard Pryor in 1998. Over the years, it’s been handed out to everyone from Carl Reiner and Neil Simon to Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Billy Crystal, Tina Fey, and Dave Chapelle. O’Brien made appearances in the past to honor Lorne Michaels, Will Ferrell, and Adam Sandler.

Conan O’Brien is the latest comedian to be feted at the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The former host of Conan and The Tonight Show will receive the award on March 23 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

"I am honored to be the first winner of the Mark Twain Prize recognized not for humor, but for my work as a riverboat pilot," O'Brien said in a release from The Kennedy Center.